Who is a genuine and legitimate candidate for Congress and who is an opportunist? This is the question I have been asked and discussed with people. One thing for sure was established in these conversations and that is we have some opportunists trying to take advantage of the new seat in Congress. Everyone knows that if the election was for the same old Washington rep. post that we would have fewer candidates and that’s common knowledge and common sense. The average voting citizen should realize this phenomenon of opportunism that is driven by a big paycheck and glory seeking to be the first. This is not a “popularity contest” and it’s no time for politics as usual. The people really need to focus on supporting the legitimate candidate for the office with the knowledge of Congress and the experience to deal with the U.S. Congress and to do otherwise is like playing poker in Washington and we are suffering enough from poker and personally, I don’t gamble.
To put an “unqualified” person in Washington at this point in time is nothing more than playing poker or worse and it defies common sense. I don’t have to say who the legitimate candidate is because people who are knowledgeable about the candidates for Congress and their experience know who is really a proven legitimate and qualified candidate and there’s only one. The winning candidate MUST have experience of working with the U.S. Congress. This is the BIG LEAGUE and it will be difficult and even impossible to accomplish anything for someone who needs to learn about Washington and the 600 plus people in Congress before they can do any real work and they only have two years — duh!
Furthermore, you can’t totally fix the CNMI in Washington, which some candidates seem to think because the epicenter of our problems is on our Capital Hill not in Washington. I’m sure all the candidates care and want to make a difference, which is what truly hurts me because I really like and even admire most of the people running for the post. This is one of the most difficult letters I have ever had to write because I consider some of the candidates as true friends but there is simply TOO MUCH AT STAKE and somebody needs to speak up about this political circus. The people need a “reality check” given our economic conditions and not an 8-Ring Political Circus.
I also hate to see some of them waste their time and money trying to compete against what is clearly a heavyweight battle — but it is their call and their right and I have personally told some of them as much. So I hope they are not offended by this letter because there is no disrespect intended.
We (the CNMI) are facing what is clearly an economic depression and we need federal assistance more than ever and that’s common knowledge and common sense.
The federal government, not the administration, is our only option that is willing and able to finance our recovery. We don’t need to take any chances on losing what little political real estate that has been established by the present rep. in Washington who is working well with Congress. It’s our leadership that didn’t work with the feds, didn’t work with the Wash. rep., doesn’t work with the lt. governor, didn’t work with Mrs. Warfield, Mr. Norita and me and look at the results — we went nowhere fast playing politics. It’s really not surprising to me because we saw the pattern before with the downfall of the Froilan administration and the Reform Party and the same phenomenom is repeating itself with this administration and the Covenant Party. Maybe, this time we will learn the lessons taught to us in our own CNMI history about politicians promising the moon and we end up with s@&%*.
The people of the CNMI can’t afford to let the selection of the U.S. Congress seat to be about “family ties, friendships and politics” because we see what happened to us when elections are based on these factors — we suffer. Voters need to use their common sense to realize who is really legitimate and who can HELP us the most — DON’T WASTE YOUR VOTE. Believing a person is qualified is one thing but voting for family, friendships and politics is not going to help us get the best person to Washington to help us.
Speaking of helping us, one candidate is supporting the lawsuit against the federal government and claiming to be a Democrat. I’m sure people with common sense can see the problem he will have with Congress. He may be a Democrat but he will be by himself trying to fight the very Democratic Congress that passed the law. He may NEVER get a word in for the CNMI. He may also be in violation of CNMI law by not giving up his elected position to run. At any rate, he is self-destructing and everyone with common sense knows we can’t send anyone that wants to fight with the feds and this Democratic Congress, especially for the first time in Congress.
We have candidates with no party connections, no experience in politics, and no record of public service. People are retiring, taking leave and some are just running to make a statement like we see with Ralph Nader who runs in every presidential election. But just think, with so many people in the race the best person may not even win and WE (the people) LOSE! Family, friends and politics may really be the difference which is why these factors can’t be the criteria for our vote. WE NEED THE BEST PERSON! When and if you are approached do tell the candidates what they want to hear but PLEASE go in that booth and vote for the BEST person — that’s why your vote is confidential! People with common sense that want to make their decision about any of the candidates need to ask and answer only ONE question to make their decision — does the candidate really have a platform with the ability to accomplish something “tangible” in Washington or are they just looking to hit the jackpot with the $160,000 salary and prestige that comes with the job? We (the people) can’t afford to vote any way but for someone who is truly qualified with the potential for a good relationship with the U.S. Congress.
Newsflash: because of party affiliations, ONLY ONE candidate will already have the status of being THE ranking member of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs with Ms. Donna Christensen in Congress if this candidate is elected, which says a lot about his qualifications as being the only legitimate candidate and everyone should know or find out who that is because he offers our best hope for something getting accomplished. I’m sure he is also at the top of everyone’s legitimate list. We need congressional prudence when it comes time to vote for our first U.S. congressman and nothing less — use your common sense.
AMBROSE M. BENNETT
Kagman, Saipan
